What is an annular solar eclipse?

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, but is at a distance where it appears smaller in the sky compared to the Sun. This means that instead of completely covering the Sun, the Moon only obscures its center, allowing a ring-like shape of the Sun's outer edges to remain visible around the Moon. This phenomenon creates the appearance of a "ring of fire," which is why the annular eclipse is characterized by this unique visual effect.

In contrast, the other options describe different types of solar eclipses or conditions. For instance, a total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely obscures the Sun, which is distinctly different from the annular type. The distance of the Moon from Earth does play a role, but simply stating that it occurs when the Moon is at its furthest point does not adequately capture the essence of an annular eclipse. Additionally, while visibility from certain locations may apply to all eclipse types, it does not specifically define an annular solar eclipse itself, making it less relevant to the definition.